Solved Virtual Box and activation problems exceeded unlock code

[Fooey]

I'm using Win 7 x64 as a host in Virtual Box.

I installed win 8.1 retail as a guest OS using it's license.

I've had to move the VDI file a few times, ect and now the license say exceeded unlocks or something.

So I called and put the numbers in and it activated.

My question is-I want to install this as my primary OS in a NON virtual environment. I obviously will stop using it in the virtual box but am I out of luck now?

I had no idea moving the VDI and creating a new VM entry was causing it to reactivate or whatever it did. There was no warning, ect.

Has anyone experienced losing a license due to Virtual Box?

 

[torchwood]

Hi Fooey,
You received that message BECAUSE you kept swapping/moving the OS.
Its standard MS operating proceedure to Temporarily block Keys because of this behaviour.
Irrelevant whether its W7/8/10, (primary or Virtual).

NO your not out of luck any Retail key can be moved to any computer.


Roy

 

[townsbg]

Since it has already been activated too many times your copy probably won't activate automatically online however you still have the option of calling Microsoft and they should help you.

I had no idea moving the VDI and creating a new VM entry was causing it to reactivate or whatever it did. There was no warning, ect.

By creating another virtual machine using the same hard drive file you caused Windows to think that it was put on a new computer requiring the reactivation. Microsoft hasn't built in the ability for windows to know that it is not on a real pc but a virtual one so what to you is a new virtual machine to Windows looks like a new computer (ie motherboard). To avoid that you can simply back up the virtual machine. that way if something happens to the config files you replace them with the originals. You shouldn't even have to replace the hard drive file unless it is damaged.

 

[torchwood]

RETAIL licences can be moved to any computer doesn't matter how many.
He presumably got the message as he moved it a number of times BETWEEN the 90 Day check.

Roy

 

[Fooey]

edit

 

[Fooey]

RETAIL licences can be moved to any computer doesn't matter how many.
He presumably got the message as he moved it a number of times BETWEEN the 90 Day check.

Roy

Thank you for you reply. If you have the time could you clarify just a few more things.


What I had to do is call and enter the numbers above a series of empty fields(A,B,C,D,E,F) and the automated system gave me numbers to enter.

After that it activated. It said i could reuse those in the future if I need to.

My last few questions would be-
1. If I install on my physical drive would those numbers work or will I need to call back again?

2. If I call back again will they just give me new numbers or is there a limit to the amount of times they allow this?

3. One of the questions on the phone is how many computers have you installed this on(-Should I always say one, or would I say two if I'm installing it on my actual computer?

I don't foresee anymore problems with moving the VM but I put an SSD as my primary OS drive and have been testing what secondary drive gives me the best performance for my VM

I assume my key will work at the beginning of the install(I don't think it allows install without a valid key).

I know there is a work around for this

 

[Fooey]

Since it has already been activated too many times your copy probably won't activate automatically online however you still have the option of calling Microsoft and they should help you.

I had no idea moving the VDI and creating a new VM entry was causing it to reactivate or whatever it did. There was no warning, ect.

By creating another virtual machine using the same hard drive file you caused Windows to think that it was put on a new computer requiring the reactivation. Microsoft hasn't built in the ability for windows to know that it is not on a real pc but a virtual one so what to you is a new virtual machine to Windows looks like a new computer (ie motherboard). To avoid that you can simply back up the virtual machine. that way if something happens to the config files you replace them with the originals. You shouldn't even have to replace the hard drive file unless it is damaged.

Thank you.

My problem is I don't know how to change the path in virtual box(but i'm going to figure that out right now) when I move my VMs. I've just been making new machines with the VDI. I know this was dumb(and time consuming) but I didn't think about the license issue until it popped up.

 

[Layback Bear]

Fooey so you don't get confused.

Remember that a Retail Windows 7 can be move to another computer but can't legally be on more than one computer at a time.

 

[Fooey]

Fooey so you don't get confused.

Remember that a Retail Windows 7 can be move to another computer but can't legally be on more than one computer at a time.

Yes. Absolutely

I have only used in it one VM box and plan to install it as my primary OS on a physical drive. I will delete the VM box before I proceed with that.

I just get confused when it asks me how many computers has this been installed on.

I don't know if they mean in total, or at this moment. I just say 1(which is true)

To make matters worse, for whatever reason it deactivated when i moved them again. I copied all the config files properly, as best as i can tell, but it said invalid UUID.

I had to call and get another set of codes which activated fine. I think I'm going to talk to someone at MS and explain and see if i can get a new key. I'll feel better with a new key if it's going to be my actual OS

 

[townsbg]

I don't know enough about Virtual box to help you; I tried it once and didn't like it. As far as I know the activation code is for that install. You can try it on others but don't depend on it. Your best bet is the activation line.

I just get confused when it asks me how many computers has this been installed on.

I think the question is how many computers it is installed on which is one. Your serial number will work on another computer although you've messed up your automatic activation at least temporarily (hence the need to call their activation line). You should however be able to call them again.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Fooey.

from your posts you have 2 licences

1) Dell, (OEM W7 i assume) -- your Base machine, This is PERMENANTLY tied to this computer

2) W8 Retail license -- running as VM inside the W7 machine, can be moved to ANY computer.

>>Every<< time you boot-up MS performs a minor validation check.
As i mentioned earlier Swapping/Re-installing OS's is monitored by MS, now if the number exceeds "X" within the 90 day period, the License Usage Exceeded message you recieved is BULK standard.

Right back to your questions

1) You should be able to use the key again without contacting MS -- (the W8 key)
2) It should be valid permanantly (Product keys for W8 were only issued to NON OEM purchases)
3) MUST only ever be 1 (1 license per machine).

Based on what you've said, both being True installs, i have the following comments.

1) Keep W7 on your Dell HDD.
2) Put W8 (or W10 Upgrade) on your SSD.
3) Read this tutorial about DUAL booting 7/8
Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista

Roy

 

[Fooey]

Hi Fooey.

from your posts you have 2 licences

1) Dell, (OEM W7 i assume) -- your Base machine, This is PERMENANTLY tied to this computer
TRUE

2) W8 Retail license -- running as VM inside the W7 machine, can be moved to ANY computer.
TRUE

>>Every<< time you boot-up MS performs a minor validation check.
As i mentioned earlier Swapping/Re-installing OS's is monitored by MS, now if the number exceeds "X" within the 90 day period, the License Usage Exceeded message you recieved is BULK standard.
THANKS FOR CLARIFICATION

Right back to your questions

1) You should be able to use the key again without contacting MS -- (the W8 key)
2) It should be valid permanantly (Product keys for W8 were only issued to NON OEM purchases)
3) MUST only ever be 1 (1 license per machine).
YES. THAT'S HOW I'VE USED IT.


Based on what you've said, both being True installs, i have the following comments.

1) Keep W7 on your Dell HDD.
2) Put W8 (or W10 Upgrade) on your SSD.
I actually really like Win 8.1 with classic shell. I've had this copy since it came out but never bothered because of the bad reviews, ect. No Win 10 though. This I'm certain about that. lol
3) Read this tutorial about DUAL booting 7/8
Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista
THANK YOU- I had planned on putting Win 8 Pro on the SSD and simply taking the original HDD with Win 7 offline but maybe I'll keep it in the system and dual boot. That would be preferable

Roy

Thanks for everything. I was worried about making it my main OS after getting that warning and phone activation requirement but I'll trust M$ won't suddenly get mad and kill my license.

 

[townsbg]

Thanks for everything. I was worried about making it my main OS after getting that warning and phone activation requirement but I'll trust M$ won't suddenly get mad and kill my license.

Not unless they suspect that it is being used illegally.